Apparatus for transferring floor to ceiling markings



April 14, 1970 w. c. ABRAMS 3,505,739

APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING FLOOR TO CEILING MARKINGS Filed Dec. 22, 19673 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR WILLIAM C. ABRAMS PATENT ATTORNEY April 14,1970 w. c. ABRAMS APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING FLOOR TO CEILING MARKINGSFiled Dec. 22, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. WILLIAM C. ABRAMS PATENTATTORNEY United States Patent 3,505,739 APPARATUS FOR TRANSFERRING FLOORT0 CEILING MARKINGS William C. Abrams, Eveready Electric Company, 1624Folsom St., San Mateo, Calif. 94103 Filed Dec. 22, 1967, Ser. No.692,762 Int. Cl. Gtllc ]/00 US. Cl. 3346 3 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE Apparatus for use by electricians, heating, air-conditioningand ventilating contractors and the like is provided in order totransfer location markings interpolated from blueprints to actualmarkings on the floor of the building to the ceiling as disclosed. Atube is supported from the floor in such manner that the tube isvertically aligned and its vertical axis is accurately located in linewith a floor marking. One means to transfer the floor marking to theceiling is by light transmission. A bulb is supported in the tube andlight emitted therefrom is focused on the ceiling. Light from the bulbpasses through a crosshair located centrally of the axis of the tube andsuch crOsshair is projected onto the ceiling. The workman marks on theceiling the location of the crosshair which is in vertical alignmentwith the floor marking. Illumination of the bulb may be from aconventional electrical outlet, from a flashlight battery, or by ablinker circuit. Alternatively, a compressed air gun may be located inthe tube and a pellet containing a dye propelled from the gun onto theceiling where it leaves a mark.

This invention relates to a new and improved apparatus for transferringmarkings from a floor to a ceiling location. In building constructionand repair, it is frequently necessary to mark a spot on a ceiling inaccordance With an architects plans for the specific location of anelectrical outlet, lighting fixture, heating, ventilating orair-conditioning duct, or the like.

Conventionally, workmen lay out the location of such markings on thefloor. Transmission of the marking to the ceiling is a labor-consumingjob usually requiring two men and the accuracy of the location isdifficult to obtain, particularly when a strong wind is blowing, whichinterferes with the accuracy of the plumb bob conveniently employed forsuch purpose. Accordingly, it is a principal object of the presentinvention to reduce the time and labor required to transmit markingsfrom the one location to the other, and also to improve the accuracy ofsuch transmission.

Another object of the invention is to provide a lightweight, readilyportable, inexpensive tool which may be used for the purpose stated.Operation of the tool is simple and does not require special training orskill.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of a toolwhich is relatively fool-proof and not readily subject to damage ormisalignment.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawingsin which similar characters of reference represent corresponding partsin each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one modification of the presentinvention showing the tool used to transmit a marking from the floor tothe ceiling.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan of the structure of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through a portion of thetube.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing a modification.

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FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of still another modification.

FIG. 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of the modification of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a still further modificati on of theinvention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of still another modificationemploying an air gun.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional View through thegun of FIG. 8, said view being partially schematic.

As best shown in FIG. 1, a marking 11 has. been laid out on the fioor inaccordance with a plan, and the purpose of the use of the tool heredescribed is to transmit said marking 11 to a spot 12 on the ceilingwhich is accurately vertically above mark 11. In the form of theinvention shown in FIGS. 1-3, a tube 13 has a sleeve 14 on the lower endaccurately aligned with the central axis of the tube. Sliding in sleeve14 is rod 16 carrying on its lower end a plumb bob 17 which is, in useof the instrument, accurately located above the mark 11. Tube 13 issupported in vertical alignment by a stand 21 here shown to have ahorizontal ring 22 supported above the floor by a plurality of legs 23,here shown to be three in number. Within ring 22 is a gimbal arrangementconsisting of an inner ring 24 supported from ring 22 by horizontal rods26. Accurate, substantially friction-proof bearings (not shown) supportring 24 on rod 26. At right angles to rods 26 are second rods 27, theinner ends of which are attached to tube 13 and the outer ends of whichare journalled in accurate bearings (not shown) in ring 24. The weightof plumb bob 17 maintains tube 13 in vertical position because of thegimbal-like support and regardless of the evenness of the floor or theaccuracy of the length of legs 23. Accordingly, it is assumed that thecentral axis of tube 13 is vertical and directly in line with marking11.

The electrical and optical arrangement of the modification of FIGS. 1-3is best shown in FIG. 3. A source of electric current, such as householdcurrent, is plugged into lead wires 31 which run up one of the legs 23and are aifixed at the top by a clamp 32 leaving a loop 33 of highlyflexible wire extending up into tube 13. Thus, the weight and stiffnessof the lead wire does not tend to force tube 13 out of verticalalignment. It will further be noted that the point 34 at which the leadwires enter the tube 13 1s at the level of the gimbal mounting or closethereto. The flexible wires 33 terminate inside tube 13 in a terminalbox 36. The switch 37 may be located remote from support 21 so thatturning the switch on and off does not alfect the accuracy of alignmentof tube 13. Within tube 13 is a bulb 35, the socket 38 of which isconnected to terminal 36 by wires 39. Below bulb 35 is a parabolicreflector 41 which reflects the light of bulb 35 upward. A condenserlens 42 directs the rays of light in a straight line. Since the heightsof ceilings vary, a focusing tube 43 may be used, telescoping withintube 13. A rack 44 is formed on the exterior of tube 43 engaged by apinion 46 supported on tube 13 by bracket 47. By turning pinion 46, thetube 43 may be moved in and out relative to tube 13. A focusing lens 48is installed in the upper end of tube 43. In the bottom of tube 43 is aslide 49 to which is fixed a crosshair 51. Other means may be used tolocate the crosshair or other indicia. The effect of lenses 42 and 48 asadjusted by pinion 46 is to focus the image of the crosshair 51 on theceiling to display mark 12.

In use, the plumb bob 17 is centered relative to mark 11, switch 37turned on, and pinion 46 moved until the spot 12 is accurately focusedon the ceiling. Since the tube 13 is in accurate vertical position, themark 12 is accurately located in vertical alignment with mark 11. Theworkman 3 then mounts a ladder and marks the image 12 on the ceiling.

FIG. 4 shows a construction similar to FIGS. 1-3 except that a battery56 is installed in the bottom of tube 13a, the battery being changed byremoval of a plug 57 in the bottom of the tube to which sleeve 14a isattached. Switch 37a is installed on tube 13a, or remote therefrom. Inother respects, the construction of FIG. 1 is similar to that previouslydescribed and the same reference numerals followed by the subscript aare used to designate corresponding parts.

FIG. is similar in construction to FIG. 4 except that the light 35bflashes intermittently. The electrical circuit for the flasher is shownin FIG. 6, it being understood that such circuit is one of many whichmay be employed and is of a type used commercially in highway flasherwarning lamps.

Specification of components of the circuit of FIG. 6 is as follows:

The other parts correspond to the previous modifications and the sameparts are indicated by the same re erence numerals followed by thesubscript b.

FIG. 7 illustrates an alternative means for holding the tube 130 invertical alignment. A base plate 61 is formed with a central aperture 62through which the marking 11b may be observed. A pair of bubble sights63 is mounted on plate 61 at right angles to each other. At the cornersof plate 61 are three or more adjustable legs 64 threaded into tappedholes in plate 61. By adjustment of leg screws 64, the bubbles 63 may bebrought into the centers of their respective mountings indicating thatplate 61 is horizontal. Fixed to plate 61 are legs 66 which are in turnfixed at their opposite ends to tube 130. The illumination of theapparatus may be in accordance with any of the means previouslydescribed in FIGS. 1-5, inclusive, or other means. Focussing of thelight is accomplished in a similar manner and corresponding parts areindicated by the same reference numerals followed by the subscript c. Asa means of locating the central axis of tube 130 over mark 110, apointer 67 which may be a steel rod or the like is fixed to the bottomof tube 13c directly below its axis. The lower end of rod 67 is alignedwith mark 110.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show an alternate means for transmissing the marking tothe ceiling. Tube 130! is accurately held in vertical position by themeans shown in FIG. 1 or, alternatively, by the means shown in FIG. 7.The same reference numerals followed by the subscript d are used todesignate corresponding parts. The propelling means is by a compressedair or compressed carbon dioxide capsule 71 contained in a chamber 72 intube 13a. An abutment 73 limits inward movement of the capsule. The cap74 on the bottom of tube 13d to which eye 14d is attached has a pin 76on its interior which penetrates the lower end of capsule 71 allowingthe compressed gas to fill chamber 72. An elongated bore 77 is formed inthe upper end of tube 13d, and said bore may be rifled if desired. Thelower end 78 of bore 77 is of constricted diameter to provide a shoulder79 against which a felt or other suitably fabricated ball 81 may beforced as by a ramrod (not shown). Preferably ball 81 is impregnatedwith a dye. A trigger arrangement is shown more or less schematically inFIG. 9, it being understood that such trigger arrangement is subject towide modification and may resemble that of compressed air B-B gun. Inthe simple system shown, a trigger lever 82 is pivoted by pin 83 tobracket '84 attached to tube 13d. A flexible cable 86 is connected tolever 87 on lever 82. By pushing the plunger 88 at the opposite end offlexible cable 86, the lever 82 may be pivoted from the solid lineposition shownin FIG. 9 to the dotted line position. Connected to thelower end of lever 82 is a slide 91 which, when in the position shown insolid lines in FIG. 9, closes off communication between chamber 72 andrestricted diameter bore 78. Connected to the upper end of lever 82 is asecond slide 92 which closes off the bore 77 immediately above pellet81. Slides 91 and 92 reciprocate in tube 13d in suitable transverseslots. Pellet 81 is loaded into bore 77 from the top when the slides 91,92 are in the position shown in FIG. 9. Thereupon, the plunger 88 ispressed, closing the slide 92 and opening the slide 92 so that the bore78 behind pellet 81 is pressurized from the capsule 71. When the plunger88 is released, spring 93 acting on lever 82 returns the slides 91, 92to the position shown in FIG. 9 whereupon the pressure behind pellet 81propels it up to the ceiling and the dye impregnated therein leaves amark on the ceiling. The slide 91 has meanwhile closed off the chamber72 to conserve gas.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for use in transferring a mark on a floor to a point on theceiling directly above said mark comprising a casing, a gimbal in whichsaid casing is mounted, a plumb bob depending from said casing in linewith the longitudinal axis of said casing, the weight of said plumb bobholding said casing vertical and in line with said mark, a light bulb insaid casing aligned with said axis for projecting along a prolongationof said axis onto said ceiling an intelligible indicator of said mark, abattery centered along the axis of said casing, a blinker electriccircuit interposed between said battery and said light bulb wherebyenergization of said light bulb is intermittent and energy of saidbattery is conserved, said circuit including a condenser and means fordischarging said condenser, and focusing means for focusing beams oflight on the ceiling and an image screen between said light bulb andfocusing means, said image screen having a mark which is projected ontothe ceiling.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, which further comprises a sleeve onthe bottom end of said casing and a rod slidable in said sleeve alignedwith said axis, said plumb bob located on the lower end of said rod,said rod extensible relative to said gimbal until said plumb bobcontacts said mark on said floor.

3. Apparatus for use in transferring a mark on a floor to a point on theceiling directly above said mark comprising a casing, a gimbal in whichsaid casing is mounted, a plumb bob depending from said casing in linewith the longitudinal axis of said casing, the weight of said plumb bobholding said casing vertical and in line with said mark, a compressedgas gun, said gun located within said casing and having a bore inalignment with said axis, a chamber at the bottom of said bore shaped toreceive a projectile, a source of compressed gas for said gun located insaid casing, valve means cutting off communication between said sourceand said chamber, and an externally operated trigger means for openingsaid valve means to project said projectile out of said chamber alongsaid bore in line with said axis.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,517,295 8/1950 Esher 33463,044,173 7/1962 ONeal et al. 33-46 3,162,957 12/1964 OConnell et al.33-189 3,354,549 11/1967 Fisher 3374 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,162,395 9/1958France.

SAMUEL S. MATTHEWS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 33-1 89

